About the Project

The Social Capital Project is a multi-year research effort that will investigate the evolving nature, quality, and importance of our associational life. “Associational life” is our shorthand for the web of social relationships through which we pursue joint endeavors—namely, our families, our communities, our workplaces, and our religious congregations. These institutions are critical to forming our character and capacities, providing us with meaning and purpose, and for addressing the many challenges we face.

Nov012018

Vice Chairman's Staff, Joint Economic Committee

The opioid crisis remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. Who succumbs to addiction—and is therefore at risk of dying from a drug overdose—is affected by a variety of factors, but many of them are social. Adults who experience childhood trauma—often at the hands of a family member—are also especially at risk of addiction.

This revised edition of the report, "The Numbers behind the Opioid Crisis," coincides with the 2018 Utah Solutions Summit organized this year to address Utah’s frighteningly high opioid mortality rate. The report updates a number of estimates from the original report with 2016 data, and it includes a special emphasis on the situation in Utah.

The report is meant to be a valuable resource that will help communities in Utah and elsewhere as they develop solutions to this public health emergency.